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UTILITY WEEK | DECEMBER 2020 | 39 Operational Excellence The session I'm most looking forward to watching … James Wallin: I'm really looking forward to all of the sessions around innovating for vulnerable customers on 26 November, given how influential this topic is going to be over the com- ing months and years. I'm particularly interested in hearing from the Energy Systems Catapult's Rose Chard on the projects she has been involved with around designing decarbonisation that supports vulnerable customers (10.40-10.55, 26 November). Jane Gray: The whole "Innovating for net zero: energy flexibility" section on our Innovation Programme (from 10.30, 25 November). Every speaker is a class act and it's a fascinating topic. Ruth Williams: Ofwat's session from 2-2.45 on 24 November exploring its approach to innovation funding. There are some really interesting ideas as to how to take this forward so I'm keen to hear about Ofwat's evolving vision. Denise Chevin: Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire) which is enabling the energy transition by tackling the challenges of integrating flexibility into the electricity network at the local level (11.10-11.25, 25 November). It's a trailblazer for a number of local schemes and I'm keen to find out more from Mel Bryce, Oxford Programme Director at Scottish and Southern Energy Networks The session I'm most looking forward to chairing … Ruth Williams: The session on tack- ling leakage (2.30-3, 25 November), with Portsmouth Water's Jamie Jones and Nicole Metje of the University of Birmingham. The water sector has a huge amount of work to do over the next five years to meet some challeng- ing targets so it will be great to hear what these experts have to say. Adam John: Smarter Approaches to Smart Metering (10.30-12.10, 26 Novem- ber). As an energy retail reporter, I'm interested in all things smart meters and it's always great to hear what suppliers have learnt as the rollout has progressed and how the devices are shaping the customer journey. I look forward to hearing from the panel about their experiences and the chal- lenges they anticipate in the next five years. Denise Chevin: Excellence in asset management (10.30-11.45, 24 Novem- ber). It's such a hot topic at the moment as water and energy firms look to try and deliver efficiencies with new technologies. I'm keen to discover what new developments are proving successful. Tom Grimwood: The session on busi- ness resilience with Greg Barrett, pro- ject engineer at Northumbrian Water, who will be discussing their use of drones (2.30-2.40, 24 November). I was fascinated to see how they've been sending caged drones into some very confined spaces to carry out difficult or dangerous inspections. The speaker I'm most looking forward to hearing … James Wallin: Simon Duncan at Eon on the operational challenges to be overcome in the smart meter delivery (10.35-10.45, 26 November). It's a topic constantly debated and Covid has added a whole new dimension to it. It will be interesting to get Simon's take. Tom Grimwood: Russell Fowler, senior project manager, National Grid, talking about how offshore wind and electric vehicles can work together to help achieve the 2050 net zero target (3.05-3.15, 26 November). Jane Gray: I'm really interested to hear what Mac Alonge, founder and CEO, The Equal Group, has to say about the importance of a diverse workforce to fostering innovation and his advice for companies trying to become more inclusive – he's set to speak in our Innovation programme (11.20-11.40, 24 November). Over on the Opex Pro- gramme though, I'm really interested to hear from all the participants in our Deep Dive into the challenges of re- starting and sustaining the iron mains replacement programme in the context of continued uncertainty over local and national restrictions on operations (12.30-1.10, 24 November). Ruth Williams: Annesley Crisp of Anglian Water talking from 3.15-3.25 on 26 November about how the com- pany's "shop window" approach to innovation has been received by the public. up to prompt fresh thinking about the con- ditions businesses need to put in place to foster innovation, and how companies should tackle issues relating to customer vulnerability. Indeed, with so much on offer, those planning to attend would be well advised to take advantage of the ability to build their own personalised agenda for the three-day event, ensuring they don't miss out on the opportunity to participate in the most rel- evant presentations and quiz speakers in live Q&A sessions. Utility Week's editorial team, who will share facilitation of the content programme, have already set up their sched- ules. Here we highlight some of the sessions the editorial team are most looking forward to. JAMES WALLIN, DIGITAL EDITOR TOM GRIMWOOD, ENERGY EDITOR JANE GRAY, CONTENT DIRECTOR RUTH WILLIAMS, WATER CORRESPONDENT DENISE CHEVIN, UW INTELLIGENCE EDITOR ADAM JOHN, ENERGY REPORTER